Ibn Battuta Gate ready for handover

17 January 2010

Ibn Battuta Gate ready for handover

Dubai’s latest mixed-use iconic gateway development of offices, apartments, a hotel and robotic car park now ready for handover to Seven Tides

Construction work is now complete on the latest striking addition to the Dubai city skyline featuring an archway larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The iconic arch at the Ibn Battuta Gateway development is the entrance to a unique combination of modern offices, luxury residential apartments for lease and a five-star hotel.

Tenants are already in place and operating from the 11 storey 400,000 square feet office complex at Ibn Battuta Gate, which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Due to its single ownership structure the offices hold particular appeal to institutions and companies that require multiple units or several floors in a building with the potential for future expansion.

Complementing the office complex, is basement parking for over 350 cars as well as a multi-storey, robotic car park capable of handling 765 vehicles – the first of its kind in the Middle East – which has already begun operations. In addition, work is nearing completion on the 166 luxury residential apartments which are expected to be released for long term rental in February.

“Ibn Battuta Gate is a new portal to a maturing location that balances city and retreat, excitement and relaxation, business and pleasure,” said Brett Whalley, Head of Commercial Leasing at Asteco, one of the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, which is managing the flagship mixed-use development on behalf of Seven Tides.

“Ibn Battuta Gate is at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor and is already a major feature on the city skyline. Now that the scaffolding has been removed and the preparations for the handover are in their final stages, the complex is attracting considerable interest from entrepreneurs both established and new to Dubai,” Whalley added.

The 396-room hotel will be handed over to owner Seven Tides at the end of January for the final fitting out with an anticipated opening by the Swiss hotel group Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts in May 2010.

Michael Scully, Managing Director Hospitality for Seven Tides said: “Ibn Battuta Gate is already a landmark with its striking architecture and will appeal to those who appreciate sophistication and five-star luxury, whether for business or leisure. Moreover our food and beverage outlets will be complemented by a light-hearted, casual atmosphere creating a lively, family-focused dining proposition.”

The Ibn Battuta complex is within 400 metres of a Metro station due to open sometime in February this year providing direct access to the commercial business heart of the Jebel Ali free zone as well as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Internet and Media City, Dubai Financial Centre, Dubai World Trade Centre and central Dubai itself. The development is also adjacent to Ibn Battuta Mall with 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions.

Dubai-based Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004 with a portfolio of property in hospitality, commercial and residential sectors in London and Dubai.

For further information about Asteco, please visit www.astecoproperty.com

For more information about Seven Tides, please visit www.seventides.com

Photo caption:

Image 1:
Brett Whalley Head of Corporate Services at Asteco ‘hands over The Gate’ to Michael Scully Managing Director of Hospitality at Seven Tides.

Image 2+3:
Ibn Battuta Gate is at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor and is already a major feature on the city skyline- Brett Whalley, Head of Corporate Services at Asteco.

About Asteco
Founded in Dubai in 1985, Asteco is a major regional real estate services firm and the one of the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates. Asteco offers clients independent market analysis, design development consultancy and valuation services, sales and leasing services, as well as asset and property management services.

Asteco appointed office leasing agents for Ibn Batutta Gate - Seven Tides’ flagship mixed-use property development

Asteco opens gateway to new business

Asteco appointed office leasing agents for Ibn Batutta Gate - Seven Tides’ flagship mixed-use property development

Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, has been appointed sole leasing agents for the offices at the iconic Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use development which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Ibn Battuta Gate is a new build corporate flagship mixed-use property developed by Dubai-based Seven Tides. The development features a dramatic entrance arch larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall on the Sheikh Zayed highway, the development offers a combination of 40,000 square metres of office space, residential apartments and a five-star hotel and spa, which will be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

A new name for many in the hospitality sector, Dubai-based Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Seven Tides has a portfolio of property comprising new build and strategic acquisitions in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors in London and Dubai.

“This appointment clearly reflects our position as market-leaders for leasing high-end office space,” said Asteco CEO Elaine Jones. “In keeping with the overall development, the quality of the office accommodation is five-star, located at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor providing an ideal gateway for businesses with commercial interests in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.”

With 40,000 square metres of leaseable modern office space spread over 11 floors, the Ibn Battuta Gate office complex is next door to the Ibn Battuta Mall with its 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions.

In addition, the offices are adjacent to one of the Dubai Metro stations, which is due to open in September this year, providing easy access via a direct link to the nearby free zones as well as Dubai Financial City and the Dubai World Trade Centre.

There is also direct access to the Sheikh Zayed highway, ideally situated for Jebel Ali Free Zone, new Al Maktoum International Airport or further a field to Al Raha Beach and on to Abu Dhabi. Close by in the opposite direction are Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the rest of Dubai. The office complex also has basement parking for over 350 cars and additional parking for a further 760 vehicles.

“We are very proud of the Ibn Battuta Gate development. Businesses located here will be able to embrace a lifestyle that balances corporate with leisure - business with pleasure,” said Michael Scully, Managing Director Hospitality for Seven Tides.

For further information about Asteco, please visit www.astecoproperty.com

For more information about Seven Tides, please visit www.seventides.com


Photo caption: The iconic Ibn Battuta Gate development – the gateway to new business.

About Asteco

Founded in Dubai in 1985, Asteco is a major regional and international real estate services firm and the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates. Asteco offers clients independent market analysis, design development consultancy and valuation services, sales and leasing services, as well as asset and property management services.

New UAE hospitality brand to showcase four luxury hotel developments due to open in Dubai 2009/2010 at Arabian Travel Market

Seven Tides unwavering about hotel developments in Dubai

New UAE hospitality brand to showcase four luxury hotel developments due to open in Dubai 2009/2010 at Arabian Travel Market

Independent United Arab Emirates holding company Seven Tides and associated companies is to showcase four new luxury hospitality developments all due to open between the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 in Dubai – two of which are on the iconic Palm Jumeirah – at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which takes place on 5-8 May 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Michael Scully, Managing Director Hospitality for Seven Tides said: “These five-star developments are multi-use and have been designed for sophisticated lifestyles, whether it‘s business or leisure. However we will create a fun environment and it is that combination that underpins our unique proposition. They also mark the arrival of a new name in the hospitality sector - Seven Tides which remains committed to its development plans despite the global economic climate.”

Scully said that Seven Tides and associated companie was confident in the long-term future of the hospitality industry not only in the UAE, but throughout the region and beyond. “As well as the four developments we are showcasing at ATM – Royal Amwaj and Oceana on Palm Jumeirah, Ibn Battuta Gate and Movenpick Deira – we are planning future hotel developments in Dubai as well as continuing with our drive to acquire hotels worldwide.”

Established in 2004, Seven Tides, which also ownsDukes Hotel in London, has partnered with prestigious international hospitality brands including Anantara, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts and Campbell Gray Hotels as its growth continues.

Two of the four new developments Seven Tides is opening in late 2009 - early 2010 are on the Palm Jumeirah. The Mövenpick-managed Royal Amwaj (amwaj means wave in Arabic) luxury resort and spa on the Palm crescent is Seven Tides’ flagship property and will feature 293 hotel rooms and more than 400 condominium apartments.

The Royal Amwaj will offer a variety of culinary delights including South American, Thai, seafood and Asian cuisine. The resort will also feature two natural lagoons, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, Asian spa, water sports club as well as business and banquet facilities.

Oceana, meanwhile, will be a beachfront hotel centrally located on Palm Jumeirah’s trunk. This private residential community will offer beach access and panoramic views to its in-house guests. “For those who want to escape from it all, Oceana will provide an ideal retreat for its residents, with an impressive array of amenities and services,” Scully said.

In terms of a corporate flagship property, Ibn Battuta Gate features an iconic entrance arch which is larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall, the property will be managed by Mövenpick, offering a combination of offices, apartments and a five-star hotel and spa.

“Ibn Battuta Gate aims to capture the best of living and working in New Dubai with a unique combination of modern offices, serviced apartments and five-star hotel offering a lifestyle that balances city and retreat, business and pleasure,” Scully said.”

All four developments, in addition to the stylish Dukes Hotels in St James, London, managed by Campbell Gray Hotels and recently awarded five-star classification, will be showcased at the ATM.

“ATM is the perfect platform to relaunch these properties. With so many international and regional tour operators and travel specialists in attendance we can ensure that Seven Tides developments are put on their radar screens now,” added Scully.

Seven Tides to open four luxury developments in Dubai next year, including two on Palm Jumeirah; seeking acquisitions worldwide

MD appointed by growing UAE hospitality company

Seven Tides to open four luxury developments in Dubai next year, including two on Palm Jumeirah; seeking acquisitions worldwide

Independent United Arab Emirates holding company Seven Tides has announced the appointment of a senior hospitality industry figure as managing director for its growing portfolio of unique five-star properties.

Michael Scully will oversee the opening of four luxury developments in Dubai, including two on Palm Jumeirah, during the first quarter of 2010. “Michael will also be actively involved in future hotel developments earmarked for Dubai and play a major role in our aggressive drive to acquire hotels worldwide,” the company said in a statement. Seven Tides also owns the five star Dukes hotel property in central London.

Scully joins Seven Tides after having recently formed UAE-based First and Foremost Hotels and Resorts which specialises in asset management for hotel owners and is developing the ECCO business budget brand of hotels.

“I am delighted to be joining Seven Tides at this crucial and exciting time,” said Scully. “My role will be to ensure that all properties in the company’s portfolio realise their full potential and reflect their five-star market positioning. Although we will create a fun environment, especially in our food and beverage outlets, it will be with an element of sophistication, providing a truly unique offering.”

Scully worked in South Africa and Europe before moving to the Middle East to help launch the Crowne Plaza in Dubai. He then moved to Mina Seyahi to develop a beach resort and marina with two five star brands – Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, home of the award-winning Barasti Bar and the Westin Mina Seyahi. Scully is also the founder and a director of Coffee Planet, the UAE’s fastest growing coffee company with over 200 sites which roast over nine tons of Arabica beans every month.

Established in 2004, Seven Tides has partnered with prestigious international brands including Nakheel, Asteco, Anantara, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts, Rixos, and Campbell Gray Hotels as its growth continues.

One of the four multi-use developments Seven Tides is opening in 2010 is on the Palm Jumeirah. The Mövenpick-managed Royal Amwaj luxury resort and spa on the Palm crescent is the flagship resort property featuring 293 hotel rooms and more 400 condominium apartments.

In terms of a corporate flagship property, Seven Tides will open Ibn Battuta Gate already being dubbed the gateway to Abu Dhabi due to its iconic entrance arch which is larger than Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.

In addition to the four projects opening in 2010, Seven Tides has embarked on further future projects in Dubai and has carried out a significant restoration of its stylish Dukes Hotels in St James, London, which has been awarded a five-star classification.